Designing with Bulbs

Ways to group bulbs for maximum design effect. Hints for selecting and planting bulbs in your garden and in your lawn.

Alyssum montanum 'Mountain Gold'
Item # 16328 		Alyssum montanum 'Mountain Gold'
Creeping Basket-of-Gold

each $4.99
3 to 6 $4.79
7 or more $4.59
Veronica x 'Blue Reflection'™
Item # 97395 		Veronica x 'Blue Reflection'®
Blue Reflection ® Hybrid Creeping Speedwell

each $5.29
3 to 6 $4.99
7 or more $4.79
Gray Santolina
Item # 85620 		Santolina chamaecyparissus
Gray Santolina

each $5.29
3 to 6 $4.99
7 or more $4.79
  • Topic: Bulbs
  • Author: Mary Ann Walz
  • Keywords: design, bulbs, fall, planting, Bulbs
  • Date: September 2002

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As the harbingers of spring, bulbs are a “must have” in my garden, and in the fall when I start designing with bulbs I always keep in mind the bloom time. For bulbs this is generally listed as early, middle or late spring. If you’re in a mild climate, though, early spring might be in February while high elevations might not see early spring until late May. Your zone and other local factors play a major part in the determination of when your bulbs will bloom.

I like to select a range of bulbs for continued bloom throughout the spring season. Some bulbs that bloom very early such as Crocus and Galanthus elwesii (Snow Drop) should be placed in locations where they will be visible from the house. On a frigid day during a spring snowfall, it’s very cheerful to see these little jewels peeking out from beneath their blanket of snow. Also, bulbs placed in southern exposures against masonry walls bloom earlier than those in a more exposed location.

Grouping bulbs according to height and using complimentary or contrasting shades results in pleasing compositions. It’s often best to use enough of a single color and variety to make a definite impact because one bulb won’t give a very strong presence on its own. Bulbs usually look best placed in clumps of 5 to 7 or used in larger drifts of a single variety. For example, clumps of early spring blooming tulips such as yellow Tulipa batalinii (Bright Gem) are great planted in a groundcover such as Veronica x “Blue Reflection.” The golden yellow of Alyssum montanum (Creeping Basket of Gold) is stunning when dappled with purplish red Tulipa pulchella (Persian Pearl).

Drifts, or groups, of closely planted bulbs in a perennial border create a blooming carpet while the perennials are just starting their foliage. By the time the bulbs have stopped blooming, the perennials will be tall enough to hide the dying foliage of the bulbs.

A drift of Miniature Daffodils integrated into the Hot and Sunny Cottage Garden designed by Lauren Springer, our Rocky Mountain and High Plains Gardening Expert, would compliment the frilly foliage of Tanacetum niveum (White Boquet Tansy) and the soft gray leaves of Santolina chamaecyparissus (Gray Santolina).

A bulb and perennial combination I used last fall was really spectacular. I placed Allium sphaerocephalon (Drumstick Onion) among my pale yellow and apricot colored Hemerocallis hyperion (Hyperion Daylilly). The purple globes easily drew the eye to the darker centers of the Daylilly blooms.

Lawns are another great place to use drifts of bulbs. Some of my favorites include Crocus, Miniature Wildflower Iris, Chionodoxa luciae ‘Alba’ (Glory of the Snow) and Scilla siberica (Siberian Squill). I like drifts to be of the same bulb variety with a few others mixed in. For example, I have several drifts of Chionodoxa sardensis (Glory of the Snow) in my lawn along with a few Iris. The Iris lead the eye to clumps of Iris that are nearby.

My favorite trick for planting small bulbs in a lawn is using a cordless drill with a bit just large enough to make a hole for the bulb. I usually take a small pail of soil along for filling the hole because the soil that is drilled out somehow disappears.

Gardeners who have difficulties with wildlife will appreciate Daffodils. They are slightly toxic and won’t be disturbed by gophers, rabbits and deer. Daffodils come in many shapes and sizes and their different bloom time extends from early to late spring. Plant lots of Daffodils and you won’t mind so much that you can’t have tulips, a favorite gourmet treat of rabbits.

By using bulbs in new ways in your landscape this fall, you’ll be glad you did next spring. And don’t forget late fall. With the fall blooming bulbs such as Crocus speciosus (Fall Blooming Crocus) you can have blooms well after a killing frost has left nearly everything else a uniform brown.